I have two precious Maltese Shih-Tzu's - one is 14 months old and the other is 11 weeks old. I carry my baby puppy whilst I walk my older puppy each day in the dog leash free park where he loves to go and play with the other dogs. Once whilst in this park, a few months ago, my older dog urinated on someone's leg. He has since done it again -twice! Once could be classified as a mistake. Twice was unfortunate, but 3 times would indicate that it is becoming a pattern. I am hugely embarrassed by this behaviour and wonder what is going on for my dog to make him want to do this. Does anybody have any clues as to how to stop this behaviour?

First question - is he neutered? He is in his sexual prime and might be feeling the need to claim anyone he likes, or feels is a threat to his territory.

Next - he is marking the people he is trying to impress. He is saying "I could own you - see I have marked you with my scent". Now the unfortunate part is when someone stands there not noticing or correcting his very poor manners. Then he thinks - "that was easy, you let me mark you. Aren't I impressive?"

Because people aren't as aware as you will now be (embarrassment is such a good teacher! ) - it is up to you to teach him better manners.

I would not let him run loose just yet and teach him how to greet people with good manners - ideally sitting for attention. Each person he meets has a personal space - unfortunately he is willing to intrude on that space and take it one step further - pee on them! So we have to teach him to respectfully keep his distance from people until he can show us that he is able to make better choices.

Does he know the direction 'leave it'? It would be good to start teaching him to leave things alone - it means that he should pull his energy back from the item, not even look at it.

Here is how you will begin to teach this...

The "leave it" command would be perfect for this situation. Teach it in the house first. Get him to "leave it" with all of his favorite toys, treats, etc. This tells him to back away from the very thing he might be interested in - before it becomes a 'drop it' issue. Start with objects/food that he might want and put it in the middle of the floor and then move on to dropping things intentionally on the floor in front of him. Have him on the leash to ensure success. Tell him to 'leave it' in a firm tone and if he goes for it step between him and the object with a stomp (throwing energy towards him - to get him to back off), and/or add a slight correction on the leash as you say 'leave it' again. Pretend in your mind that the object is a snake and he absolutely can't have it. Use whatever energy that evokes in your voice and body language to get him to leave it alone. Then, while he is still on the leash, place the object between you and the dog, and call him to come. He should put his own imaginary circle around the object as he comes to you. Now he is respecting your word and understanding that everything is not his to grab, but YOU determine what he can and cannot approach.

Catching him before he rushes to something can make a huge difference. It's easier to stop him before he makes his move than to have to stop him in mid-stride. This gives you a greater vocabulary to use with him as well. Which gives you the chance to 'talk' him through his choices. Be sure to praise him when he makes the good choices - so he is clear when he has done the right thing.

Then you are going to apply this to people - when he gets too close (close enough to lift his leg - you say 'leave it' in a firm tone and he should back away on his own. The subtle and wonderful message you are also conveying is that all things belong to you and nothing belongs to him - including people.

Thank you Tenderfoot for this answer to a problem we were searching on Google - have joined the forum especially to show appreciation

Just to give the background to what is happening here our daughter and husband have a Jack Russell dog that has been neutered and a spayed Jack Russell cross.

We have no problems in our home environment or when walking our five month old Jack Russell dog - he did go through play humping other dogs but from socialising seems to have learnt this is not acceptable behaviour.

Although young the mature neutered/spayed pets have accepted him as pack leader.

The mature dogs are very well trained with our son-in-law a very dominant Alpha male.

Initially our puppy was friendly to all humans and without fear but then went through a period he seemed afraid of most male humans. We wonder if this was not exactly fear but wishing to avoid confrontation.

We are feeling that Scamp approaching six months is now feeling more confident and not prepared to be dominated by someone showing Alpha characteristics!!! Excited to see the other dogs yesterday, at our daughter's house, Scamp peed a welcome on my son-in-laws shoes. He adores my son-in-law but in the excitement of what was happening we did not give this potential problem serious consideration (or the right solution) at the time.

We know this forum , and of course our UK vet, are in favour of neutering. As stated on my profile we previously owned a Cairn Terrier and also had Papillons and never needed to have a dog neutered because of behavioural problems.

My story is close to those described, but worst. He is a Papillon, 9 months old neutered at 6 months. It started perhaps around 8 weeks ago he would pee on his best friend Rocco (Boxer – 5yrs old). Rocco is very easy going big baby. I noticed several times Rocco would be lying on the ground suddenly he would jump up and I noticed Hiro (the Pap) peed on him. At first I figured he was showing dominance, and marking Rocco as his. Of course I would scold him and discipline him. One day Rocco was on my bed and it happened again. Now it has progressed to Humans. I was getting ready for bed, hubby already in bed sleeping, took all the dogs out for their last pee/poop run all did their business except for Hiro. We came to bed and then suddenly my husband shouted geesh – Hiro in the hallway and he said he peed on his arm, which was over his head. I once again scolded him (spanked) sent him outside brought him back in made him stay in his bed in the bathroom while I showered so I can keep my eye on him. The next incident was my grand daughter was sitting on the couch and Hiro jumped on the couch and then squirted on her I spanked him and put him on the ground and was going to get something to clean her up then he suddenly went to Rocco who was lying on the ground and peed on his leg. The next day my son came over sitting on a chair and he jumped on him and full-blown peed on him. Hiro has always had a problem when he got excited he would pee. We fixed that problem and would ignore him when we come home and would walk him outside and make him do pee before we talk or even pet him. I also noticed he has been squirting in my sewing room when we go in there. There has been no change in his life style, except for being neutered. He was really humping his tiger pillow so I put it away. I need help. I just never know when he is going to do something like this. Another thing I noticed about him is since he was a baby he would always be next to Rocco and put his butt in his face and push it against him when he has something in his mouth (toy). HELP.

First off - the fact that he is doing this with such frequency means that he is not housebroken. A truly housebroken dog does not lift his leg in the house. Period. End of discussion. I have a 3 year old intact male that wouldn't lift his leg in my house if his life depended on it! And I trained him without ever raising a hand to him.

Stop hitting your dog! Dogs don't think like people. He has no idea why you are hitting him but he is fast learning that you are a bully and not to be trusted.

Back to basics. Out on a schedule, leash him to you when you can keep an eye on him, crate him when you can't. Crate him at night and when you are not home. Keep him off the furniture.

First question - is he neutered? He is in his sexual prime and might be feeling the need to claim anyone he likes, or feels is a threat to his territory.

Next - he is marking the people he is trying to impress. He is saying "I could own you - see I have marked you with my scent". Now the unfortunate part is when someone stands there not noticing or correcting his very poor manners. Then he thinks - "that was easy, you let me mark you. Aren't I impressive?"

Because people aren't as aware as you will now be (embarrassment is such a good teacher! ) - it is up to you to teach him better manners.

I would not let him run loose just yet and teach him how to greet people with good manners - ideally sitting for attention. Each person he meets has a personal space - unfortunately he is willing to intrude on that space and take it one step further - pee on them! So we have to teach him to respectfully keep his distance from people until he can show us that he is able to make better choices.

Does he know the direction 'leave it'? It would be good to start teaching him to leave things alone - it means that he should pull his energy back from the item, not even look at it.

Here is how you will begin to teach this...

The "leave it" command would be perfect for this situation. Teach it in the house first. Get him to "leave it" with all of his favorite toys, treats, etc. This tells him to back away from the very thing he might be interested in - before it becomes a 'drop it' issue. Start with objects/food that he might want and put it in the middle of the floor and then move on to dropping things intentionally on the floor in front of him. Have him on the leash to ensure success. Tell him to 'leave it' in a firm tone and if he goes for it step between him and the object with a stomp (throwing energy towards him - to get him to back off), and/or add a slight correction on the leash as you say 'leave it' again. Pretend in your mind that the object is a snake and he absolutely can't have it. Use whatever energy that evokes in your voice and body language to get him to leave it alone. Then, while he is still on the leash, place the object between you and the dog, and call him to come. He should put his own imaginary circle around the object as he comes to you. Now he is respecting your word and understanding that everything is not his to grab, but YOU determine what he can and cannot approach.

Catching him before he rushes to something can make a huge difference. It's easier to stop him before he makes his move than to have to stop him in mid-stride. This gives you a greater vocabulary to use with him as well. Which gives you the chance to 'talk' him through his choices. Be sure to praise him when he makes the good choices - so he is clear when he has done the right thing.

Then you are going to apply this to people - when he gets too close (close enough to lift his leg - you say 'leave it' in a firm tone and he should back away on his own. The subtle and wonderful message you are also conveying is that all things belong to you and nothing belongs to him - including people.

When I went to shelter to meet my dog Marty I was with my daughter and grandchild. We where waiting in a room to have Marty brought out to us and the first thing Marty did was to pee on my pants leg! I took that as him marking his territory. It was funny as he only peed on my leg and I was the one looking for a dog.

Message to Lavendar - First I am offended by your remark about stop hitting my dog. I am not abusive and yes discipline is important. I pat his butt to get his attention and then follow Cesars methods. He is house broken, but as I mentioned he does have control issues from excitement. I tend to agree with the other person that he is making a statement. He does not pee on the Chihuahua who does not let him get near him. What I have been doing is keeping him smack against me and he is not allowed to greet or jump or be next to any body. When he has calmed down I let him visit the person but watch him very carefully. I will not let him jump on them, I would pick him up and explain to him and the person why I removed him from his current position. He knows drop it, but leave it he is still having problems with that. I will have to work on that.

Message to Lavendar - First I am offended by your remark about stop hitting my dog. I am not abusive and yes discipline is important. I pat his butt to get his attention and then follow Cesars methods. He is house broken, but as I mentioned he does have control issues from excitement. I tend to agree with the other person that he is making a statement. He does not pee on the Chihuahua who does not let him get near him. What I have been doing is keeping him smack against me and he is not allowed to greet or jump or be next to any body. When he has calmed down I let him visit the person but watch him very carefully. I will not let him jump on them, I would pick him up and explain to him and the person why I removed him from his current position. He knows drop it, but leave it he is still having problems with that. I will have to work on that.

Not sure why you are offended - you are the one who stated that you "spanked" your dog. I am telling you that "spanking" or "hitting" or "swatting" your dog - whatever term you wish to use - doesn't teach your dog anything except that you can't be trusted. As for Cesaer, I have heard enough, seen enough and read enough to know that none of his methods would ever be used on a dog of mine. If they work for you - that's great for you.

Sorry, but no matter how you look at it, if your dog is urinating in your house, for any reason beyond illness, then he isn't housebroken. A housebroken dog will NOT urinate in the house.